Opua Forest Lookout Track
Opua Forest Lookout Track, Paihia: Address, Opua Forest Lookout Track Reviews: 4.5/5
Opua Forest Lookout Track
Opua Forest Lookout Track
4.5
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Lookouts • Scenic Walking Areas
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
64 within 5 kms
Movenpick
117
0.3 km$ • Dessert
Legends Restaurant
358
1 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • International • Contemporary
Third Wheel Coffee Co.
126
1.3 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • New Zealand
Terra Restaurant
141
1.3 km$$$$ • European • Contemporary • Fusion
Letz Cafe
222
1.3 km$ • Dessert • Cafe • New Zealand
Tipsy Oyster Tapas & Bar Restaurant
250
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Asian
Zane Grey's Restaurant and Bar
1,074
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • International • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
GREENS Paihia
1,272
1.3 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Thai
JFC
133
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • New Zealand
El Cafe
482
1.5 km$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Latin
Attractions
22 within 10 kms
Paihia Harbour
1,218
1.4 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
5,153
1.8 kmHistoric Sites • Gardens
Bay of Islands i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
298
1.3 kmVisitor Centres
Pompallier Mission and Printery
622
4.6 kmHistoric Sites
St Paul's Anglican Church
33
1.4 kmArchitectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
Flagstaff Hill
476
Historic Sites
Christ Church
372
Churches & Cathedrals
Waitangi National Trust & Treaty House
142
2.5 kmHistoric Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Haruru Falls
1,828
2.8 kmWaterfalls
Waitangi Mountain Bike Park
65
4 kmBiking Trails • Parks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
54 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
21
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand448 contributions
You have the option of a long or short walk. The view was worth the walk. It is mainly uphill on the way up, which can be challenging for older people, but easily 30 mins each way on the short track to lookout point.
Written 12 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Issy G
8 contributions
A good walk to the top, the track all the way to the top was in great condition. Hearing and actually seeing some birds in the forrest was an added bonus.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Swee
8 contributions
A nice easy walk along the School Road track but the view at the top was disappointing as it was mostly covered by trees.
Written 22 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Moatiq
Whangarei, New Zealand30 contributions
Solo
There are 2 walks in this area and you can easily get confused reading the reviews. The one I went for is the Paihia School Road track which is a shorter one. It takes about an hour and a bit from Paihia township up to the lookout and back, going at a steady medium pace. Access is from School Road and you can get to School road through the carpark behind Countdown on Williams Road. With kids and slow leisurely walks, it would be close to hour and half or so. The hike is reasonably easy with well looked after gravel type paths, stairs and walkways. A little way up the hike, the second walk veers off to the left and its the longer one to Opua. View from the lookout area is nice but not as impressive, with vegetation covering off most of it. Take water if its a hot day and good walking shoes. A pleasant way to spend an hour in Paihia during the day.
Written 5 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Callum
Bristol, UK1 contribution
Solo
When your in Paihia and you wannw go for a nice easy hike. Go do this one! It's easy, stunning (with good weather) and takes about 2 hours between Opua and Paihia. Walking the same route back is normally a bit boring, but not with this one.
Written 9 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff & Julie
5 contributions
This was a worthwhile hike from down in Russell - be prepared to give your legs a work out or alternatively drive to the top. You'll be rewarded with spectacular views from Russell to Pahia and Waitangi out to the coast above the Harbour and to the islands beyond. Excellent history boards to tell you what you're looking at.
Written 13 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sue H
El Pinar de Campoverde, Spain115 contributions
Another lockdown walk that kept us amused .steady uphill climb with rewarding view. Carry on to Haruru falls
Written 15 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael P
Washington DC, DC72 contributions
A local park leads to a bush trail near the end of School Road. The car park has room for about four vehicles, but there is also space on the side of the road. The trail, like so many in NZ, is uphill both ways. Trail conditions are good; packed dirt with light gravel, walkways and bridges where appropriate. Lots of bird life and about half a dozen Kauri trees including the one at the top. Good views on both sides of the ridgeline. There are good views near the top, also at various points along the trail, but the views are framed by foliage. About 25 minutes each way. Bring water in summer.
The decontamination statin at the base of the trail (to prevent a blight affecting Kauri trees) was empty, so remember to decontaminate your footwear before and after.
The decontamination statin at the base of the trail (to prevent a blight affecting Kauri trees) was empty, so remember to decontaminate your footwear before and after.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DesertTeacher
Phoenix, AZ1 contribution
Solo
Just a few minutes walk from town in a very pleasant, well tended track. The path up is mostly uphill but the grade is not too steep. If you are reasonably fit this whole track round trip can be completed in an hour. The first part of the track is more tropical with dense vegetation, ferns and Kauri trees. One Kauri tree near the begining of the trail appears to be quite old, based on its relative height and girth. The track follows a ravine at the bottom and gradually winds its way up to stands of (aspen?) That appear to have greyscale camouflage bark. There are a few spots with stairs but they are not too steep. The trail forks after a little more than a kilometer but I chose the overlook trail. The overlook has benches and offers some nice views of town and the surrounding area. The day I went it was raining and windy but the trail was very pleasant. Tui birds could be heard off somewhere in the bush. It is recommended to stay on the trail since there are traps set for possums and other predators of the birds. It is really the only option since most of the forest is too steep, too muddy or otherwise impassable.
Written 4 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eileen0101
Droitwich, UK118 contributions
Couples
This is a well marked track from Paihia up to a viewpoint. Very steep in places. Well maintained track with good views at the top over the whole of the Bay. Take water and insect repellent plus sunscreen.
Written 14 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Opua Forest Lookout Track
- We recommend booking Opua Forest Lookout Track tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Opua Forest Lookout Track tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Opua Forest Lookout Track:
- (0.78 km) Decks of Paihia Luxury Bed and Breakfast
- (0.97 km) Allegra House
- (1.05 km) Abri Apartments
- (1.31 km) Chalet Romantica
- (1.12 km) Outrigger Motel
- Restaurants near Opua Forest Lookout Track:
- (0.32 km) Movenpick
- (1.26 km) Third Wheel Coffee Co.
- (1.31 km) Terra Restaurant
- (0.99 km) Legends Restaurant
- (1.30 km) Letz Cafe